The Field of Frames Game Jam is a week long game jam that encourages participants of all ages to make an original game inspired by this year’s theme. Whether you're experimenting solo or jamming with friends, the goal is to make something bold, surprising, or just plain fun based on the jam theme. The game jam itself will be hosted online, but entries will be made playable to all attendees of the Field of Frames Fest in September at the Dow Diamond in Midland, MI. Participants (especially MI participants) are encouraged (but not required) to attend the festival in-person to talk to attendees and meet other game developers!

The theme will be announced here at the start of the jam.

Everyone who submits a game is elligable for the following prizes:

• The grandprize of $250
• The 2nd place prize of $100
• The 3rd place prize of $50
• Digital Certificates

See below to find out each category and what they win! 

Voting will be done primarily by an external panel of judges.  They will be judging games on the following criteria:

• Best overall game: wins grandprize
• 2nd + 3rd place best overall: wins runner up prizes
• Best Gameplay: wins digital certificate
• Best Art: wins digital certificate
• Best Audio: wins digital certificate
• Best Use of Theme: wins digital certificate
• Most Innovative: wins digital certificate

There will be two community awards as well, one of which will be voted on by you, the Itch community and the second being voted on by attendees of F3! These are:

• Itch Community Favorite: wins digital certificate
• F3 Community Favorite: wins digital certificate

Anyone can join. People of all ages and skill levels are encouraged to participate!

Teaming up is allowed. Feel free to join with a premade team, or go to the Discord to find others to team up with.

Host your game on Itch. Do not submit links to external downloads.

Use any engine. The game needs to be playable as a downloadable .exe, work on Windows, and use only a keyboard and mouse.

Your game needs to be mostly original. It is ok to use some premade assets, but the majority of your project should be made from scratch. When using premade assets, please be sure to include credits somewhere in your game or itch page.

You may use generative AI. Just like other premade assets, please provide credit when you use AI generated assets.

No offensive or NSFW content. Your games must be playable for all ages.

This game jam does not include a grace period. Once the game jam has ended, submissions will be locked and the voting period will begin. Make sure you work out your bugs ahead of time.

Make sure to leave time to create the Itch page!

What is the theme? 

The theme will be announced at the start of the game jam.

Can I submit a game I started before the jam, or made for another jam?

No you can not. All submissions need to be new games made specifically for this jam.

Can I include code or assets I worked on before the jam started?

No you can not. All submissions need to be new games made specifically for this jam.

Can I use assets created by someone else?

Yes, you may use assets created by someone else as well as assets generated by AI. Please make sure to credit the source of your premade asset somewhere in your game or game page.

Does my game have to use a specific engine or comply with any technical restrictions?

You may use any engine you wish. The game must be a downloadable .exe, playable on Windows, and require only a keyboard and mouse.

Where can I find other participants to create a team?

You can go to the Discord page to find other participants.

Can I submit a game I haven’t finished to the jam?

Yes! All games will be judged as is, but even if you don't finish you should still submit what you have by the end of the jam.

Can I submit a game that includes adult, gory, or other offensive content in it?

No, please do not include any offensive or NSFW content. These games will be made available to attendees of the Field of Frames Fest and as such must be available to all ages.

I found a bug after the jam ended. Can I change the submission?

No, you cannot change your game once the voting period has begun. Please playtest your games before submitting.

Anything you make during the F3 Game Jam is your property. Field of Frames Fest claims no rights or ownership of your game.

Any submissions to the F3 Game Jam (including the game, Itch Page, artwork, etc.) may show up in F3 or Block House promotional materials on the F3 Website, Block House website, and social media channels including but not limited to Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Discord without your express permission.

We reserve the right to disqualify or remove any submission from the competition.

Thank you to the sponsor of this event, Hemlock Semiconductor!

Click the F3 logo to learn more about the Field of Frames Fest. Join the game jam Discord by clicking the Discord logo.